The Origins of Coffee: The Story of 'Black Water'

You’ve heard the term ‘black water’ used to describe coffee—but where did it come from, and why was it once believed to banish sleep and restore strength? The story goes deeper than your morning cup, stretching back over a thousand years across continents and cultures.

Coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia’s Kaffa region around the fifth century and reached the Arabian Peninsula by the sixth century. By the eighth century, it was known in Arabia as ‘Qahwa,’ a mysterious black drink said to boost energy and ward off fatigue. Over time, its reputation grew—from a secret monk’s tonic to a revered beverage across empires.

The Early Journey: From Ethiopia to Arabia

Historical accounts suggest that during the fifth century, tribes from East Africa—including regions now known as Ethiopia and Kenya—invaded the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula and occupied Yemen for about a century. These early African warriors carried with them a caffeinated advantage: balls of coffee cherry pulp mixed with animal fat, which they consumed for stamina and combat readiness. They are believed to have prepared a drink from red coffee fruits and green leaves boiled together—a primitive form of what we now recognise as coffee.

The Birth of Qahwa: The ‘Black Water’ Legend

By the eighth century, this energising drink had taken root in Arabia, where it earned the name Qahwa—a term that may originally have referred to wine, but came to mean this dark, invigorating brew. Though its exact preparation then isn’t fully documented, it was already linked to alertness and endurance. Coffee wasn’t just a drink; it was considered a divine gift among Muslims.

Medieval Records: Avicenna and the Plant Called Bunchum

In the tenth century, the Persian polymath and physician Avicenna (Ibn Sina, 980–1037) wrote about a plant from Yemen called ‘Bunchum,’ believed to have properties similar to coffee. While not explicitly naming coffee, his writings are among the earliest non-African records hinting at a stimulant plant with notable effects on energy and vitality.

The Legendary Story of Omar and the Red Berries

According to 1578 records in the Arabic text The Origin of Coffee by Muslim scholar Ambudar Kadry, the story of coffee’s discovery is attributed to a healer named Omar from Mocha, Yemen. Omar, exiled and near starvation, encountered red berries and tried boiling them. The resulting brew revived him. Though parts of the tale are likely apocryphal, it cemented Mocha’s role in coffee legend and pointed to the Yemeni port city as an early hub for coffee culture.

Spreading the Black Water: The Ottoman Influence

As the Ottoman Empire expanded across Europe, Asia, and Africa, so did the reach of this ‘black water.’ The Turks adopted and adapted coffee drinking, eventually introducing it to European courts and cities. What began as a sacred or medicinal drink in remote monasteries and battlefields evolved into a social staple, carried across borders through trade, conquest, and curiosity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the original name for coffee in Arabia?

The original name for coffee in Arabia was Qahwa, a term used as early as the eighth century. It referred to a dark, energising drink believed to restore energy and keep drinkers awake. The term may have originally been linked to wine but came to denote this unique brew.

Where was coffee first discovered?

Coffee was first discovered in the Kaffa region of Ethiopia, with some accounts placing its earliest use among local tribes as early as the fifth century. From there, it spread to the Arabian Peninsula by the sixth century.

Who was Omar, and what role did he play in coffee history?

Omar was a healer from Mocha, Yemen, who, according to 16th-century accounts, discovered the energising effects of coffee after boiling red berries. Though the story is likely legendary, it contributed to Mocha’s reputation as a foundational place in coffee’s global history.

What is Bunchum, and how is it connected to coffee?

Bunchum is a plant mentioned by the Persian physician Avicenna (Ibn Sina) in the tenth century. Though not explicitly named as coffee, it was described as a plant from Yemen with effects similar to what we now know as coffee—likely an early reference to the coffee plant or its beans.

How did coffee spread to the Ottoman Empire and beyond?

Coffee spread to the Ottoman Empire through trade and cultural exchange, particularly via Yemen. The Ottomans then helped carry coffee across Europe and Asia, establishing it as a widely consumed beverage and integrating it into social and religious life across their vast territories.

Did early African tribes use coffee for energy?

Yes. Historical records indicate that during the fifth century, African tribes from the regions now known as Ethiopia and Kenya carried coffee cherries mixed with animal fat for energy during battles and long journeys. This is one of the earliest recorded uses of coffee as a stimulant.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans Inspired by Coffee’s Origins

Explore the roots of coffee with our Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, offering bright citrus and floral tones, and our Ethiopia Huakui, known for its jasmine and stone fruit complexity. Both are single-origin coffees that reflect the vibrant flavours of coffee’s birthplace. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.